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Thread: A-5 buffer: Why is it smoother?

  1. #1
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    A-5 buffer: Why is it smoother?

    I have read and heard, from end users, that the A-5 buffer shoots smother. My question is why?

    They often attribute the softer/smoother recoil impulse to the longer receiver extension. I know the A-5 receiver extension is approximately 3/4 inch longer than a carbine length extension, but the distance traveled by the A-5, carbine and rifle buffer is the same or very close to. It has to be. If the distance the buffer travels was increased the gas carrier key would slam into the lower receiver just above the receiver extension.

    So, if the distance traveled by the buffer is the same, what is it about the A-5 buffer system that makes it shoots smoother? Is it the weight of the buffer? Carbine buffers can be purchased in the same weight, so wouldn't they have the same recoil impulse? Is the reason the A-5 buffer shoots smoother the reciprocal weight? This is the one variable that seems the most plausible to me and the one that I may not be able to duplicate in a carbine length system. (I would have to do more research into it before I could say for certain)

    The rifle length spring is not the reason as the buffers in all three of the extension lengths travel approximately the same distance. The spring rate of the rifle has been duplicated in a carbine length system.

    I must admit I have not shot an A-5 equipped rifle. This should not be an issue as I am not doubting they work. I am inquiring as to why they work.

    Thanks

    And by the way, I did perform a search.

  2. #2
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    Straight from VLTOR's site:


    Recently tested by a professional source, the A5 system has proven to be more reliable then the M16A2, M4 and the recently released “H6” stock systems. With the use of the M16A2 action spring, the A5 system resembles the reliability and performance of the M16 fixed stock system. By having the same characteristics of the M16 fixed stock system, the A5 has shown increased accuracy and milder/smoother function, due to the constant spring rate the M16A2 spring offers. To reiterate, the A5 system offers everything the M16 fixed stock system offers, but with increased reliability and performance.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by az doug View Post
    The rifle length spring is not the reason as the buffers in all three of the extension lengths travel approximately the same distance. The spring rate of the rifle has been duplicated in a carbine length system.
    The rifle length spring is the reason, actually, or at least one of them. You are correct that the BCG and buffer are traveling the same distance in all three. You are also correct that the spring compresses the same distance in all three. What you have not considered is that the difference in total length between the springs (carbine vs rifle) creates a difference in the percentage of compression the spring must undertake in order for the buffer to travel that distance. The rifle spring is longer than the carbine spring, so when compressed X amount, the overall percentage of compression is less than a carbine spring compressed the same distance. Follow me so far?

    The percentage is everything. In essence, the rifle spring is compressed less (relative to the length of the spring) than the carbine spring. This results in smoother, more consistent operation and theoretically less stress on the spring. It's the same reason it's difficult if not impossible to achieve the same ride quality in a vehicle with lowering springs as in the same vehicle with factory springs. Longer springs perform better. This translates into smoother operation of the buffer system.

    Notice I did say that this is only one of the reasons the A5 system operates more smoothly than the carbine system. In a carbine buffer, the weights and spacers are free to shift under recoil. Just pick up a carbine buffer and shake it if you don't believe me. You can hear the weights rattle back and forth. This does not help consistency, recoil management, or bolt bounce issues. The A5 buffer has an integrated spring to retain forward pressure on the weights. This spring hold the weights at the front end of the buffer until the buffer bottoms out at the end of the RE, then that spring acts as sort of a miniature or secondary buffer spring, absorbing the kinetic energy of the weights themselves after the action spring has absorbed the kinetic energy of the BCG and the buffer body. Once all of the energy has been absorbed, the internal spring in the buffer returns the weights to the forward position in the buffer for the trip back into battery. This helps eliminate bolt bounce because there is only one impact pulse when the BCG returns to battery, rather than two as with the carbine system. With a carbine buffer, when the action spring returns the BCG to battery, the weights inside the buffer are still at the rear of the buffer, and then shift forward, transferring their kinetic energy in a secondary impulse when they reach the front of the buffer. This amplifies bolt bounce issues.

  4. #4
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    Badger, thanks for the response. I understood how the carbine buffer works and when I referred to reciprocating weight, I was referencing the shifting/sliding buffer weights in the carbine buffer.

    What I did not know was that the A-5 has a spring that returns the weights forward, so thanks. I'll have to buy an A-5 and play with it.

  5. #5
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    Badger's post is right on the money.
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    Has anyone tried this A5 system on 16" mid-length gas system?

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    I have one with the standard A5 buffer on mine but it also wears a battlecomp. It really shines on my 12.5 where i run it with an A5H3. It's incredibly smooth... noticeable difference from the standard A5 buffer. I have yet to try the A5H3 on my middy but i don't doubt it'll run and smooth it out further.
    Last edited by Col_Crocs; 07-15-13 at 00:30.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Armati View Post
    Has anyone tried this A5 system on 16" mid-length gas system?
    Talk to me when I finish my Recon build.

    16" mid-length + Switchblock + LMT E-carrier + A5H4... might be a while yet as a good number of the parts I need are still unobtainable.

  9. #9
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    I have built several 16" midlength uppers for customers who have the VLTOR A5 system installed on their lowers and, they've not reported any issues concerning FTE's or FTF's to me. (I specifically asked them to tell me if there was.)

    I own two lowers setup with the A5 and run an H3 and a green rifle spring in mine. Smooth as silk and very comfortable to shoot.
    Quote Originally Posted by markm View Post
    But you should have enough mags that you don't need to see a grief councelor if you destroy or damage one.

  10. #10
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    Re: A-5 buffer: Why is it smoother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Armati View Post
    Has anyone tried this A5 system on 16" mid-length gas system?
    I run one on my 16" mid length as well as my 10.3" SBR. Noticeably smoother on both rifles over the standard carbine tube.

    The 16" rifle has almost no muzzle rise and is just an incredibly smooth shooting rifle. I'm also running a battle comp on this upper.

    Here's a slow motion video of my 16" rifle being fired that we did while playing around with the new phone:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM1R...e_gdata_player



    Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

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